Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th April 2024

1. According to Global Hepatitis Report 2024, what percentage of the global Hepatitis B & C disease burden did India account for in 2022?

A. 10.5%

B. 11.6%

C. 12.1%

D. 9.5%

• India, accounting for 11.6% of global hepatitis cases in 2022 as per WHO, faces over 35.3 million infections, with 29.8 million from hepatitis B and 5.5 million from hepatitis C. Ranking second after China, India and China together contribute 27.5% of global cases.

2. Recently, which organization has been designated as the Nodal Centre for the ‘Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)’ programme by the ISRO?

A. Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST)

B. MP Council of Science and Technology (MPCST)

C. Council of Science and Technology, Lucknow

D. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi

• GUJCOST becomes ISRO’s nodal center for the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) Program. Geared towards postgraduate and final-year undergraduates in physical sciences and technology, START provides introductory online training covering various space science domains like Astronomy, Astrophysics, Heliophysics, Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy. Conducted by experts from Indian academia and ISRO centers, it aims to cultivate knowledge in space sciences among students.

3. Which institution secured the 45th rank in Engineering and Technology of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024?

A. IIT Bombay

B. IIT Kanpur

C. IIT Madras

D. IIT Roorkee

• IIT Bombay climbed to 45th in Engineering and Technology in the 2024 QS World University Rankings, scoring 79.1/100. The QS ranks universities in 55 disciplines; results released by the UK-based agency highlight IIT Bombay’s strengths in various fields including Minerals and Mining (25th), Data Science and AI (30th), Civil and Structural Engineering (42nd), and others. Notably, it improved by two places from 2023 in Engineering and Technology.

4. Recently, which bank became the first private bank to open a branch in Lakshadweep?

A. Axis bank

B. HDFC bank

C. YES bank

D. ICICI bank

• HDFC Bank makes history as the first private bank to establish a branch in India’s Lakshadweep, specifically at Kavaratti Island. Previously, only government banks operated in the region. The move aims to enhance banking infrastructure and provide personalized and digital services, with a focus on personal and digital banking.

5. According to the recent Asian Development Bank report, what is the expected growth rate of the Indian economy in 2024-25?

A. 8.1 %

B. 7.8 %

C. 7.0 %

D. 6.9 %

• The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) April 2024 outlook revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7%, up from 6.7%. ADB reported India’s 7.6% GDP growth in 2023-24, projecting 7.2% growth in 2025-26. Reserve Bank of India also forecasts 7% growth for FY25. Despite global economic challenges, India is anticipated to lead major economies in FY 2025, fueled by domestic demand, government policies, investments, and export gains in electronics and services.

6. Recently, who has become the first Indian monk to be honoured with the American President’s Gold Volunteer Service award?

A. Acharya Lokesh Muni

B. Raghaveshwara Bharathi

C. Vijayendra Saraswati

D. Bharathi Tirtha

• Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni is the first Indian monk to receive the American President’s Gold Volunteer Service award in 2024. He is the founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati and World Peace Centre, and is recognized for his contributions to humanity and the public good. He has said that receiving the award is a matter of pride, and that it honors Indian culture, spiritual values, and Jain principles of Lord Mahavir.

7. According to World Cybercrime Index 2024, what is the rank of India in cybercrime globally?

A. 8^th

B. 9^th

C. 10^th

D. 11^th

• An international team led by the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra introduces the inaugural ‘World Cybercrime Index’. Drawing from data collected through a survey of 92 experts, it ranks roughly 100 countries based on cybercrime prevalence. Key findings reveal concentrated threats, with Russia leading, followed by Ukraine, China, USA, Nigeria, and Romania. The score of India was recorded at 6.13 and was ranked 10th in the list of 15 countries.

8. What is ‘Mange disease’?

A. Skin disease of animals caused by mite infestations

B. Viral infection caused by the bite of an infected animal

C. Communicable disease that primarily affects cattle

D. Fungal disease that affects landscape of plants

• The forest department is monitoring an outbreak of mange disease among Asiatic wild dogs in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Mange, caused by mite infestations, leads to inflammation, itching, skin thickening, and hair loss. The severe form, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, also affects humans. All domestic animals can get mange, with specific mites infesting only one species. Transmission occurs through direct contact and contaminated objects. Most forms of mange are treatable.

9. Recently, where was the first steel cutting ceremony of the Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy held?

A. Chennai, Tamil Nadu

B. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

C. Vizhinjam, Kerala

D. Kolkata, West Bengal

• Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane oversaw the inaugural steel cutting of the Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
• The FSS, with a 44,000-ton displacement, will play a vital role in replenishing naval fleets with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, bolstering operational capabilities. Aramane also initiated the augmentation of slipway and infrastructure modernization at HSL, aiming to enhance its capacity and capability for future defense projects like the Landing Platform Dock, supporting ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

10. Where was the ‘Asian Wrestling Championship 2024’ held?

A. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

B. Beijing, China

C. New Delhi, India

D. Dushanbe, Tajikistan

• The 2024 Asian Wrestling Championship took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where India’s Udit clinched silver in men’s freestyle 57 kg, while Abhimanyu secured silver in 70 kg. Abhimanyu and Vicky also won bronze medals in their respective categories. Despite defeating opponents from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea, Udit settled for silver after a close final against Japan’s Kento Yumiya, marking India’s first absence from gold since 2019.

11. Plastic Overshoot Day 2024 report, recently released by which Non- profit organization?

A. Earth Action

B. American National Red Cross

C. United Way

D. INSO

• Earth Action released the Plastic Overshoot Day 2024 report, marking the point when global plastic waste surpasses manageable levels, leading to environmental harm.
• The Global Plastic Overshoot Day is projected for September 5th, with India’s on April 23rd. Key findings show a 7.11% increase in plastic waste since 2021, with 12 countries responsible for 60% of mismanaged waste. India, classified as a Low-Waste-Producing Polluter, faces challenges like improper disposal and additive use.

12. According to Plastic Overshoot Day Report, which country has one of the lowest per capita plastic waste production rates globally?

A. India

B. Sri Lanka

C. Myanmar

D. Philippines

• A recent report by Switzerland’s EA Earth Action reveals India as one of the top twelve contributors to 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste. Released on April 12, 2024, the Plastic Overshoot Day report highlights Eritrea as the worst in the Mismanaged Waste Index, with Bermuda at the bottom. India’s per capita plastic waste production is the world’s lowest at 8 kg per year, yet its expected mismanaged waste in 2024 is “very high” at 7.4 million tons.